Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
THOMAS MCSHERRY Obituary
Reverend Thomas McSherry
May 28, 1945 - June 5, 2019
The Rev. Thomas McSherry died June 5, 2019, in Yankton, SD. Father McSherry was born on May 28, 1945, in Flushing, NY to Francis and Mary (Rooney) McSherry. After attending Saints Peter and Paul School in Tulsa and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Oklahoma City, he earned a bachelor's degree at Cardinal Glennon College, a master's degree in divinity at Saint Meinrad Seminary and master's degrees at Indiana University and the University of Oklahoma. He was ordained a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Tulsa on May 22, 1971, by Bishop Victor J. Reed.
He faithfully served the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and later the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, for 48 years. Father McSherry served as pastor at Saint Robert Bellarmine, Jones, and Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus, Luther (1978-83); Saints Peter and Paul, Hobart (1983-84); Saint James the Apostle, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala (1985-2001); and Saint Patrick, Oklahoma City (2002-19). He served as associate pastor at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City, (1971-74); and The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City (1974-75). He also served as chaplain of Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, Oklahoma City (1975-79). He served the archdiocese in many other capacities over the years, including as director of the Saint Joseph Home in Oklahoma City and director of the archdiocese's Drug and Alcohol Program. Father McSherry was most known for his dedication as pastor of the Oklahoma mission in Guatemala, returning to the mission four years after Blessed Stanley Rother was martyred there. He served the people of the Diocese of Sololá for 17 years.
Father McSherry was fluent in Spanish and Tz'utujil, the local dialect in Santiago Atitlan. He served on the Priest Senate and the Justice and Peace Committee for the archdiocese. He was chosen to present the first-class relic of Blessed Stanley Rother at his Rite of Beatification in 2017.
He is survived by his brothers, Francis, Michael, and Christopher; and his sisters, Mary Anne, Patricia, Virginia, Noreen, and Kathleen. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, John; and sister, Eileen.
The Vigil Service will be at Saint Patrick in Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, with Father Bill Pruett presiding. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Saint Patrick. Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran will be the main celebrant and longtime friend Father Andrew Kelly will be the homilist. A Memorial Service will be held at Noon on Friday, June 14, 2019, at Christ the King in Tulsa with burial following at Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa. Kennedy Midtown Funeral and Cremation Services in Tulsa is handling funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Patrick's Juan Diego Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS MCSHERRY
P. Kim Pham
June 1, 2025
Dear Rev. McSherry: A mass was offered in my church for you. Time flies but you are always in our hearts and prayers. Please keep praying for us, the world and peace on earth. Thank you.
Kim Pham
July 11, 2024
Dear Rev. McSherry: Time flies but you are still missed dearly. You are in our hearts and prayers. Please keep praying for us so we will be with you and our Lord forever in Heaven. Thank you for being wonderful You.
P. Kim Pham
June 2, 2022
Dear Father McSherry:
You are in our heart and prayers. Please keep praying for us so that we will be with you and our Lord forever in Heaven.
Miss you very much.
P. Kim Pham
June 2, 2021
Please check out His Memorial Registry at the National Shrine.
https://www.nationalshrine.org/memorial-registry/entry/47159/
How you can show support
Notify Me
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Theresa A Kanost
February 28, 2021
RIP, Father McSherry! Thank you for your help in my time of trial at my mother's death. Sorry I didn't learn of your passing til after the fact. God bless you! I miss seeing your truck across the street & I miss you at Mass!
Phuong Kim Pham
September 4, 2020
Thank you, Father. You taught me so many lessons. You are one of the blessings I count and thank God for. Please continue to drink beer, ride motorcycle, drive sport car,... with our Lord and my Dad. Your kindness and TLC are forever grateful and never forgotten. With love and respect.
Lisa Williams
September 3, 2020
I met Father McSherry in May of 1980. I had the privilege of doing my undergraduate practicum at St. Joseph's Children's home. He became my friend, mentor, and confidante. His kindness and compassion was equal with his intellect and passion for serving. My husband and I were blessed when he was able to co-officiate our wedding on August 30, 1980. It was only when I was searching his name to send him a thank you and to let him know that we had just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary that I learned of his passing. He left an imprint on so many, I am so grateful to be among those that he did.
Bridget McElreath
June 1, 2020
Mass was offered at his old parish, SS Peter & Paul's in Hobart, May 28th, on what would have been Tom's 75th birthday. Tears were shed. It hardly seems possible that we shall commemorate the anniversary of his untimely death in another 8 days, on June 5th. RIP, dear friend.
July 13, 2019
When I met Father McSherry at St. Mary's High School, I thought that I met Jesus because he looked so alike one of the Jesus pictures at our home. He had always been there supporting us through our trial years as refugees. He is one of my role model's priests. Father, please keep us in your prayers as you have always been in my thoughts and prayers. See you in Heaven.
Respectfully yours,
Phuong Kim Pham, Bethesda, MD
Joe Sherle
June 20, 2019
Here is priest that could make anybody laugh. Yet he was sincere and could motivate his parishioners. He had great social skills. I looked forward to his Sunday sermons. Good leader, Good man, Good priest.
Jill Morgan
June 18, 2019
Father Thomas McSherry married us 45 years ago; we called him our young hippie priest. We are so saddened to hear of his passing. His life was exemplary. We will never forget him.
-. Jill Morgan
June 14, 2019
Hue and I were shocked and saddened by the passing of Fr. McSherry! We will truly miss
Him!
Via Con Dios
Hue Ngo and Michael Laurent
Michael McCuan
June 12, 2019
I knew Father Tom while he was a St Joesph's Old Cathedral in OKC. His long hair, loving spirit and kind demeanor will always be remembered fondly by me, my mother and Im sure by all the kids at St Joesph's school. God bless and rest in peace.
Sr. Linda Wanner, SSND
June 11, 2019
Tom has been a very dear friend since 1984 when we met in Guatemala when he came to serve as pastoral minister in Micatokla, Santiago Atitlán. I give thanks to God for the privilege of knowing and loving this faithful servant of the Gospel. He emanated life, joy and compassion wherever you encountered him. May he now be enjoying the presence of the God he served so well here on earth.
Dane Gill
June 11, 2019
Fr. Tom gave me instruction into the Catholic faith, and I entered the Church in 1971 shortly after my wife, Mary Lee, and I were married. He was always a joyful person, who truly cared about and for everyone.
Steve Davis
June 11, 2019
A great guy...he will be missed by friends and parishoners.. Our condolences...
Richard Meadows
June 11, 2019
I became friends with Father McSherry when I was 16 back in 1971. I would visit him where he lived and we would have wonderful discussions on many topics. The biggest thing was me made me feel accepted.
In 1975 he performed the marriage ceremony for my wife and I, He made it such a special occasion.
Of course when we had our first born son we had to have Father McSherry do the Baptism. We tracked him down in Jones Oklahoma and it was another happy occasion.
Father McSherry will be dearly missed he was such a wonderful man. He was such a Godly man in the way he treated others.
Richard Meadows, Edmond OK.
Richard Meadows
June 11, 2019
I met Father McSherry when I was 16, We became friends and I would meet with him on weekends for wonderful discussions. Then in 1975 he did our wedding. It was so special to have him do it.
When we had our first born we tracked Father McSherry down in Jones Oklahoma so he could do the Baptism.
He was a blessing to me and my family and will be dearly missed.
Cecilia Monroe
June 10, 2019
My mother, Bertha Carlton, my sister, Martha Anderson, and I, Cecilia "CiCi" Monroe would like to extend our condolences to Father McSherry's family.
Our family loved Father McSherry; he was a very caring man. He was there for us when my youngest sister, Patti Small, my step-father, John Carlton and my sister, Silvia Fenton passed away, all at different times of our lives.
When my sister, Silvia passed away we were very distraught; it was so unexpected. Within minutes of our phone call, he came to my mama's house to console us; his words to us were comforting. When he left mama's house we felt he deeply cared for us.
Father McSherry, thank you so much for everything. We will forever be miss you.
Sincerely, Bertha Carlton and Family
June 10, 2019
My mother, Bertha Carlton, my sister, Martha Anderson, and I (Cecilia "CiCi" Monroe) would like to extend our condolences to Father McSherry's family.
Our family loved Father McSherry; he was a very caring man. He was there for us when my youngest sister, Patti Small, my step-father, John Carlton and my sister, Silvia Fenton passed away, all at different times of our lives.
When my sister, Silvia passed away we were very distraught; it was so unexpected. Within minutes of our phone call, he came to my mama's house to console us; his words to us were comforting. When he left mama's house we felt he deeply cared for us.
Father McSherry, thank you so much for everything. We will forever be miss you.
Sincerely, Bertha Carlton and Family
June 10, 2019
Anyone who ever met Tom McSherry realizes what a unique individual he was. How can 36 years of friendship be condensed into just a few words? The memories--motorcycle jaunts, waterskiing on the lake, lunches/dinners/picnics/parties, his fettucini recipe, spectacular liturgies, instigating new programs and breathing fresh energy into SS Peter & Paul's in Hobart. McSherry knew I was terrified of being his organist and selected each Sunday's music, putting each chosen hymn on the organ no later than Wednesday so I'd have time to learn it by Sunday. Perhaps his greatest personal gift was helping this new widow cope with the loss of her beloved husband of 44 years. Tom McSherry will always be remembered, mourned, loved. Rest in peace, dear friend!
Bridget McElreath
Hobart, OK
Mary Garza
June 9, 2019
Father McSherry, you will forever be in my heart. I thank God for bringing you to our church, Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church; Hobart, OK. You came at a time that I was struggling with why am I even attending this church.. I felt I was not getting anything from God. I was just going through the motions at church. You brought change to Saint Peter and Paul Catholic church. A youth group was organized with
an awesome youth leader, Bill Braun. We began to have group meetings not just with our local church but with other
Catholic Churches in the surrounding towns. This sparked the flame within me. I began to learn about disciplship and how we are to spread God's love thoughout.
Thank you so much for answering the call from our Heavenly Father.
Rest now. God's got it from here.
June 9, 2019
Our sympathy and prayers go out to all of Fr. Tom's family and the parishoners of St. Patricks. Father was such a caring friend and pastor to our family, Tom and Pat Goodall
Lori Ramsey
June 9, 2019
Thank you for your service to our Lord in all of the places that you have served. We love you and miss you .
Stephen Cude
June 8, 2019
Tom was my best friend and remained so for sixty years. He was my seminary brother and fellow priest friend since 1959! He and I were faithful to each other and we shared the joy of each other's families. I am absolutely certain that he is now fully with the Lord and I hope to be joining them and all the angels and saints when I am called home. Tom, pray for me and put in a good word for me and all those many who loved you. I am too peaceful and joyful to be saddened by your death even as tears are now flowing from my eyes. Live forever in peace. Just sayin' .
John/Julie Martin
June 8, 2019
Fr. Tom was a very nice person and a wonderful priest. Our time spent with him in Guatemala well always be treasured.
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
Make a Donation
in THOMAS MCSHERRY's name
Memorial Events
for THOMAS MCSHERRY
Funeral services provided by:
CLOSED - Cremation Care Plus - Tulsa8 North Trenton Avenue , Tulsa, OK 74120
How to support THOMAS's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor THOMAS MCSHERRY's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
